General Strategies Free Access to OAME Gazette
The OAME Gazette is a pretty decent publication that has good ideas for teaching mathematics. Pre-service teacher now have access to this magazine online for free. Go to the OAME website at http://oame.on.ca . UOIT login information: username: 201566 password: tc201011 Visual Organizer Examples for Grades 7 & 8
Samples from UOIT Math students
Answering Questions/Responding (Mala):
Many students are hesitant about raising their hand in a class to respond to a question or even express their thoughts on a subject. One of ways I observed to choose a student without them feeling like they were being 'picked' on was by having all the students name from that class on a popsicle stick and all the popsicle sticks would be in a cup. The teacher would put that cup at the front of the desk and then randomly pull a stick from it with a student's name. The teacher made sure and explained to the students that this is just one of the strategies that will be used for answering questions, whether it is a homework assignment, or general question that will allow everyone an equal opportunity to participate. The student does have a right to pass. The teacher starts of using this on the first day by drawing a name from the cup and asking the student to tell one thing that they did over the summer. This relaxed the students and it allowed for each student to participate and contribute to the class and get them familiar with this strategy as they will be using it throughout the year.
Problem solving template (Greg Leverton)
This is a handout my AT and I developed for problem solving. The idea is that it forces the students to walk through the steps of solving a problem, especially the checking your answer which many students struggle with. It also has distinct symbols that the students can remember to help them on a test.
Tell a Story
There are a number of good math stories to read to students to start a lesson - Everyone loves a good story. See UOIT Library for a list of stories of Ann Lesage's Math Story Collection
Ontario Government Book of Literacy Strategies
This is a great reference - make sure you look up Word Walls, Concepts Circles, Frayer Model, Placemat, and Four Corners - you should use them all!
Free Access to OAME Gazette
The OAME Gazette is a pretty decent publication that has good ideas for teaching mathematics. Pre-service teacher now have access to this magazine online for free. Go to the OAME website at http://oame.on.ca . UOIT login information: username: 201566 password: tc201011
Visual Organizer Examples for Grades 7 & 8
Samples from UOIT Math students
Fermi Problems for Grades 7 & 8
Sample Fermi Problems that could be used in grade 7 & 8 math
Answering Questions/Responding (Mala):
Many students are hesitant about raising their hand in a class to respond to a question or even express their thoughts on a subject. One of ways I observed to choose a student without them feeling like they were being 'picked' on was by having all the students name from that class on a popsicle stick and all the popsicle sticks would be in a cup. The teacher would put that cup at the front of the desk and then randomly pull a stick from it with a student's name. The teacher made sure and explained to the students that this is just one of the strategies that will be used for answering questions, whether it is a homework assignment, or general question that will allow everyone an equal opportunity to participate. The student does have a right to pass. The teacher starts of using this on the first day by drawing a name from the cup and asking the student to tell one thing that they did over the summer. This relaxed the students and it allowed for each student to participate and contribute to the class and get them familiar with this strategy as they will be using it throughout the year.
Problem solving template (Greg Leverton)
This is a handout my AT and I developed for problem solving. The idea is that it forces the students to walk through the steps of solving a problem, especially the checking your answer which many students struggle with. It also has distinct symbols that the students can remember to help them on a test.Literacy-Based Strategies
Create a Math Story
Ask students to create a math story - see Samples form J. Hills Class
Tell a Story
There are a number of good math stories to read to students to start a lesson - Everyone loves a good story. See UOIT Library for a list of stories of Ann Lesage's Math Story Collection
Ontario Government Book of Literacy Strategies
This is a great reference - make sure you look up Word Walls, Concepts Circles, Frayer Model, Placemat, and Four Corners - you should use them all!
Content-Specific Strategies (Grade 7 & 8)
Number Sense and NumeracyChinese Approach to Dividing Fractions (Why We Invert and Multiply)
Measurement
Data Management & Probability
Geometry & Spatial Sense
Patterning & Algebra